Means for regulating the temperature in heating systems.



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No. 722,251. PATENTER MAR.1o', 190s.

W. P. POWERS. MEANS PoR REGULATINS TEE TEMPERATURE IN HEATING SYSTEMS.

APPLIOATIQN FILED DBO. 26, 1896. N0 MODEL.

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No. 722,251. Y PATBNTED MAR. 10, 1903.

` 'W. P. POWERS.

MEANS EUR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE IN HEATING SYSTEMS.

APPLIcATIoN FILED DB0. 26. lese.

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No. 722,251. PATENTBD MAR.10,1903.

W. P. PUWERS.

. MEANS EUR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE 4IN HEATING SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION FILED 13230.26. 1596.

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MEANS FOR REGULATING THE TEMPERATURE IN HEATING SYSTEMS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,251, dated March10, 1903.

Application led December 26,1896. Serial No. 617,122. (No model.)

T0 @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM P. POWERS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Means for RegulatingTemperaturein Connection with Heating Systems, of which the following isa full and complete specification.

The object of the invention is to provide thermostatic means by whichair or other Huid pressure may be utilized to control valves throughwhich steam is supplied to radiators and to operate dampers controllingthe dow of air-currents used for heating and ventilating. It is commonto use in the heating of the same apartments radiators located thereinand also air-ducts through which heated air is delivered, both of whichserve to-maintain a proper degree of heat in the apartment. Inaccordance with the best practice it is desirable that the dampersshould be operated by a graduated movement, as shown and described inpatents issued to me, No. 558,610, dated April 21, 1896, and No.554,398, dated February 1l, 1896, while in the control ofsteam-radiators it is necessary that the action should be prompt anddecisive, as provided for in the apparatus described in Patent No.555,660, dated March 3,1896, issued to W. P. Powers and F. TV. Powers.

It is the purpose of this invention to provide a special form ofthermostat and means bywhich asingle thermostat maybe made to operateair-dampers with a graduated motion proportionate to the temperatureofthe apartment and at the same time, if desired, operate valvessupplying steam to direct radiators that may be used in the rooms inconnection with the hot air system, the steam being turned on or offwith a positive motion at any desired degree of temperature. It isevident that to secure this result the thermostat must be able tomaintain a graduated air-pressure in the damper-controlling devices andalso must at the proper time cause the delivery to the valve-controllingmotor of a positive airpressure of sufcient force to etfectually andpromptly close the valve against the ordinary pressure employed insteam-heating plants. To secure such double action I have provided thenecessary devices, hereinafter described.

In the patents referred to above the thermostatic action is primarilysecured by the eX- pansion of a chamber in whicha volatile liquid isconfined, the movement secured thereby being utilized to openair-passages through which air or other Huid pressure is delivered tothe motor which controls the damper or valve. In the present invention Iuse, pret- 4erably, the well-known form of thermostatic bar, composed oftwo strips having dissimilar rates of expansion when heated. It is usualto employfor this purpose vulcanite and brass, the vulcanite having amuch higher rate of expansion for each degree of added temperature.These two materials being firmly united form a compound strip, whichbeing attached rigidly at one end to the frame of the thermostatproduces at the other or free end a movement whenever the temperature isincreased or diminished. The power obtained from this thermostatic bar Iutilize to open a valve and permit fluid-pressure to pass through to themotor connections. This Huid-pressure also reacts against the powerexerted by the thermostatic bar, as hereinafter described.

Figure 1 is a sectional View of this thermostatic bar and the frame towhich it is attached and the valve-chamber with its valve and operatingmechanism. Fig. 2 shows a modified form of construction, and Fig. 3 anenlarged detail of the valve-chamber of same, the general principleinvolved in both being the same. Fig. 4 is a sectional view of therelay-valve. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the same, taken at rightangles to that shown in Fig. 4 and showing the diaphragm and itsresisting-spring. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic View of the various parts asapplied in an operative system. Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a valveand one form of motor for operating same provided with devices forcausing the valve to open and close with a positive motion.

The air-pressure directly secured by either of these forms ofthermostats is a graduated one and is used in the motor-chambercontrolling the air-dampers. The pressure of the air passing through thethermostat, as hereinafter described, within certain limits increases indirect proportion to the increase of temperature, and I provide in thecase as presented a relay attachment (shown in section in Figs. fi and5) by means of which this ICO increasing pressure is enabled at anypredetermined point to open an auxiliary Valve and deliver the air orfluid pressure to the valve-controlling motor, this air-pressure beingobtained ordinarily from the same source as that which passes throughthe thermostat. The result of this combination is that the dampers areoperated with a graduated motion, while at the proper time thesteamvalves are operated upon by the full pressure ofthe uid used.

Referring again to Fig. 1, A is the thermostatic bar. At its lower orfree end is the valve E, with its stem reaching through thevalve-housing and being in contact with the plate D, between which andthe plate D is a diaphragm B, composed of any suitable elastic material.This diaphragm constitutes the movable wall of a pressure-chamber at thelower end of the frame, into which air is admitted when the valve E isunseated. Leading out from this chamber is the opening I, from whichconnection is made to an ordinary pressure-motor, by which the dampersare operated, as shown at J in Fig. 6. This device being well known, Ihave not deemed it necessary to provide a detailed drawing. Theair-pressure is maintained in a tank by a suitable air-compressor and issupplied to the thermostat through a pipe connected at the opening I-I.The valve E is maintained in a closed position by the coil-spring F. Thefree end of the thermostatic bar under the influence ot a risingtemperature presses against the center of the plate D' and, overcomingthe tension of the spring F and the air-pressure exerted upon the valveE when closed, results in an opening of said valve. The air-pressure isthus permitted to flow through into the chamber and through the openingI to the damper-operating motor. This air-pressure operates against thediaphragm B and tends to overcome the 'pressure afforded by thethermostatic bar, so that when an amount of air-pressure exists in thechamber sufficient to balance the pressure of the thermostatic bar thevalve E returns to its seat and the further admission of air isprevented. Should the temperature from any cause rise still higher, thepressure of the thermostatic bar will he increased and the valve willopen until a suicient amount of air has entered the chamber to balancethis increased pressure, whereupon the valve will again close, and thuslimit the amount ot' airpressure to whatever is necessary to balance thepressure afforded by the thermostatic bar.

To provide for the escape of the fluid-pressure from the chamber andmotor connected therewith, I use a valve G, by which the escape-openingcan be restricted, so that only a small amount of air can escape throughit. If the temperature remains fixed, it is evident that on account ofthe air escaping through valve G the pressure in the chamber will becomeless, and this will result in the unseating of the valve E and theadmission of a further supply of air to maintain the equilibrium betweenthe air-pressure and the power eX- erted by the thermostatic bar. If nowthrough a falling temperature the free end of the therinostatic barrecedes from contact with the flange D', the valve E remaining seated,the air in the chamber and in the motor connected therewith will soon bedepleted and the dampers operated thereby will return to their normalposition under the influence of the spring usually located in the motorJ. In the pipe connecting the opening I with the motor J, I locate abranch connection at W, Fig. 6, to the relay K'. (Shown in transversesections in Figs. fi and 5.) This relay consists of a diaphragm K,forming, with the hollow shell K', a pressure-chamber. The branch pipethrough which the air enters is connected at O. Bearing against theoutside of the diaphragm is the piston-flange L, provided with a bridgeM, through which passes an adjustable spring N, which resists theoutward movement of the diaphragm K when pressure is brought to bear onsame. Upon the bridge is a central projection in contact with the leverP, fulcrumed at one end and at the other connected with the valve Q,which controls the passage of the air-pressure from the inlet R to thedelivery-port S. The valve Q is held normally closed by the spring T,and the lever which actuates this valve is encircled by an elastic tubeU, which connects the valve- Ihousing and the lever and prevents theairpressure in the valve-chamber from escaping and yet permits of freemotion to the lever. At V, I show a small escape valve, through which agradual discharge of air is permitted from the pipe leading from S tothe valve-operating motor, (shown at T in Fig. 6.) Fig. 6 is adiagrammatic View of the complete system in operation, showing theairtank, the steam-radiator, the hot and cold air dampers, thethermostat, and the relay K', by which the positive air-pressu re isdelivered to the Valve-motor.

Referring to Fig. 4, it will be seen that whenever the pressure enteringat O develops sulhcient power to overcome the tension of the spring N itwill result in the opening of the valve Q and the passage through from Rto S of the full amount of air-pressure used in the system. Thisair-pressure enters the valve-motor T', (shown in detail in Fig. 7 ofthe drawings,) attached to a valve such as is ordinarily used inconnection with steamradiators. It is evident that the expansion of thematerials of which the thermostatic bar is composed results in thegradual opening and closing of the air-valve in the thermostat, and itbecomes necessary, therefore, to provide means whereby this graduallyincreasing or diminishing pressure shall result in a positive and quickmovement of the valve controlling the supply of heat. For this purpose Iprovide the fluid-pressure motor with an automatic escape-Valve a. Thisescape-Valve is of such construction and so connected with the IOCfluid-pressure motor that it permits the motor duid to escape during theinitial action of the thermostat and until such vtime as the valvecontrolling the motor-duid supply is opened sufficiently to admit thepassage of an excess of duid-pressure over that passing through the openescape-valve a sufficient to preponderate over the tension of thespring, which tends to lhold the main valve open. The housing of theescape-valve a is attached to the piston-plate d of the motor. Below thevalve there is au opening down through the piston-plate, the stem of themain valve fitting loosely therein. At the upper end of the drag-valve ais attached a drag b, which slides up and down in the dragchamber cwhenever the main valve is opened or closed. Vhen the main valve isopen, the drag-valve a is also open, owing to the friction of the dragin the chamber when the upward movement of the piston occurs in theopening of the main Valve. The air-pressure for operating the motorenters through the connection e, and it first escapes between the valvea and its housing and through the passage underneath in thepiston-plate. Whenever the, motor is actuated sufficiently to close theescape-valve a through the retarding action of the drag I), the fullpressure of the motor fluid becomes operative at once and causes themotor to act quickly to close the valve controlling the supply ot' heat.l/Vhen the temperature has fallen, the thermostat shuts olf or reducesthe supply of uid to the motor.

At V, Fig. 4 of the drawings, is shown an escape-valve which ispermanently open and which permits the escape of a small amount of themotor Huid, and this results when the supply has been reduced or cut offin gradually depleting the motor fluid and permitting a return movementot' the motor-piston, due to the spring surrounding the valve-stem, andwhich tends to open the heat-controlling valve. As soon as thisretrograde movement commences the escape-valve d is unseated by theretarding action of the drag b, thereby opening a passage to theatmosphere for the motor fluid and permitting an immediate and completeopening of the valve controlling the supply of heat. To facilitate thepassage of the air through the escape-valve d, the housing of same isprovided with lateral openings. (Indicated on Fig. 7 as ct.) This deviceis a part of the subject-matter described and claimed in Patent No.555,660, issued March 3, 1896, to W. I". Powers and F. W. Powers. Itwill thus be seen that the dampers will be handled by a graduatedpressure passed through and determined by the thermostat, while at theproper time the relay attachment shown in Fig. 4 or an equivalent devicewill open an auxiliary valve and cause the delivery of the air-pressureat its full power into the valve-operating motor, and this will resultin the prompt and effectual closing of the steam-valve and no effectwill be exerted upon the air controlling the dampers, the pressure inthe motor controlling these remaining the same as if there were nosecondary attachment.

Referring now to Fig. 2, 1 have provided in this form of thermostat adifferent valve mechanism, with the idea of overcoming friction and to acertain extent the resistance due to the pressure of the air upon thevalve and diaphragm. To accomplish this result, I use two diaphragme Band B', B being usually slightly larger than B'. Between these twodiaphragms I arrange a double pistonplate open in the center, the twoparts being connected by pillars, so that it is practically one piece.On the outside of both the diaphragme are provided piston-plates, eachof which is firmly attached to the inside plate, so that bothdiaphragms, with the attached plates, move together as one. On the innerside of the piston plate connected to the smaller diaphragm I provide atE' an opening for the admission of air-pressure so arranged as to beclosed by a pad, usually of rubber or leather, attached to the center ofthe inner plate, as indicated by F. I represents an opening to which thepipe is attached leading to the damper-operating motor. Behind the frameot' the thermostat is an adjustable spring G', by which the diaphragmsare maintained in opposition to the pressure of the thermostatic bar andby whichwhen the thermostatic pressure is withdrawn the pad F isbroughtv in contact with the discharge-opening and the further admissionof air-pressure prevented.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged detail of the diaphragms and valve mechanism, thecorresponding parts being lettered similarly in each figure.

In Figs. 2 and 3 the diaphragms are made of'different size, as beforestated, in order that there may be an excess of force exerted by the airin the pressure-chamber in the direction of closing the aperture E. Theobject of this is that the air-pressure may exert a power in oppositionto that afforded by the thermostatic` bar. It is evident that this wouldnot be the case if the two diaphragms were of exactly the same size, asthe pressure would then be the same in both directions. It will be seenthat the effect of this doublediaphragm combination, with one diaphragmlarger than the other, is the same as in Fig. 1, where the wholepressure is exerted upon the single diaphragm in opposition to thethermostat.

I am aware that thermostats have been made operating upon a similarprinciple to the one here shown, where the air-pressure acts inopposition to the thermostatic power, as this principle is involved inthe patents above referred to. The invention in this case, as

shown in Fig. l, consists in the application of the compoundthermostatic bar as distinguished from those devices in which anexpansible liquid is used. With this form of thermostat the pressureafforded by the mov- ICO IIO

able part depends solely upon temperature conditions, expansion andcontraction of the materials of which it is composed being due to heatand independent of other forces.

In the device shown in Fig. 2 I do not limit myself to this particularconstruction, as any form of thermostatic bar may be used in connectionwith the double diaphragm and valve action and still be within the limitof my invention. Also the two diaphragms may be of the same size, thedevice constituting a substitute for a stuffing-box, whereby motion maybe communicated from the outside to the inside of a sealed chamber,avoiding the friction due to a rod passing through a packed joint.Neither do I limit myself to the form of thermostat and relay attachmentherein shown, as any thermostat arranged to deliver th rough onemotor-pipe a graduated air-pressure proportional to the temperature ofthe thermostat and through another motor-pipe a su bstantially positiveair-pressure at a predetermined temperature of the thermostat, bothbeing arranged to operate in a concurrent manner to raise or lower thetemperature of an apartment, Will be within the limit of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is the following:

1. In a heat-controlling apparatus, the combination with adamper-controlling motor, of an expansible thermostatic bar, a valveoperated thereby, controlling the admission to the motor offluid-pressure, and means Whereby this pressure acts in opposition tothe force exerted by the thermostatic bar, substantially as described.

2. In aheat-controlling apparatus, the combination with a thermostaticbar, of two diaphragms operated thereby, forming a closed chamber, avalve admitting fluid-pressure to said chamber, arranged to be closed bycontact with one of the diaphragms, a Huid-pressure motor and pipeconnections between the chamber and the motor, substantially asdescribed.

3. In a heat-controlling apparatus, the combination with a thermostaticbar, of tWo diaphragms operated thereby, one of them larger than theother, forming a closed chamber, a valve admitting Huid-pressure to saidchamber, arranged to be closed by contact with one of the diaphragms, aduid-pressure motor and pipe connections between the chamber and themotor, substantially as described.

4. In a heating and temperature-regulating system, the combination of aradiator situated in an apartment, an air-duct leading to saidapartment, a damper located in said airduct and a motor controllingsame, operated by a graduated fluid-pressure, thermostaticallymaintained; a second motor and a valve operated thereby, for controllingthe supply of steam to the radiator, a source of fluidpressure for each,and means whereby the graduated fluid-pressure shall control theadmission of the actuating fluid-pressure to the second motor,substantially as described.

5. In a heating and temperature-regulating system, the combination of aradiator situated within an apartment, an air-duct leading to saidapartment, a damper located in said air-duct and a motor controllingsame, operated by a graduated fluid-pressure, thermostaticallymaintained; a second motor and a valve operated thereby for controllingthe supply of steam to the radiator, a source of fluid-pressure foreach, and adjustable means whereby the graduated fluid-pressure shall,at predetermined temperatures of the thermostat, control the admissionof the actuating fluid-pressure to the second motor, substantially asdescribed.

6. In a heating and temperature-regulating system the combination of aradiator situated within an apartment, a supply-valve for the radiator,having a positively-operated fluidpressure motor, an air-duct leading tosaid apartment, a damper for the air-duct, a motor for same operated bya graduated duid-pressure proportionate to the temperature of the roomwhich is to be heated, and a thermostat in said room, for governing themovement of the valve and of the damper, substantially as described.

W'ILLIAM P. POWERS.

Witnesses:

F. W. POWERS, H. M. POTTER.

